Texas Tech Edges Minnesota 81-68, Places Fifth at Puerto Rico Tip-Off

Brian Bernardi scored 24 and Hofstra had an answer to every Florida State rally on the way to stunning the Seminoles 82-77 on Friday in the opening round of the Paradise Jam. The Pride had lost 14 straight games going back to 2006 against major conference teams and hadn’t beaten an ACC team since 1998.

“It’s great for our program”, Bernardi said. “I mean, we could feel it. Everybody’s had that type of moment in their life where something wasn’t good at the place before”.

The spurt that hurt was an 11-0 run by Miami that extended a five-point lead to 25-9.

The Bulldogs shot 50 percent in the second half, eventually tying the game on Newman’s driving basket for a three-point play with 7:39 left. After tonight’s game, Coach Larranaga’s squad has already scored at least 90 in three games this season, which is practically unheard of in college basketball. “That’s what makes teams good is there is no one way of defending them”.

For the first time since the 2012 Maui Invitational, the Butler Bulldogs are headed to the final in a preseason tournament. Temple made 10 of 29 3-point attempts…. They also got to the line 15 times, 10 fewer than Miami. But the rest of the day belonged to Hofstra.

“I’m just glad we got the win tonight”, Smith said. “It’s why they work so hard”. Kelan Martin came off the bench and scored all of his eight points in the second half.

It was 61-58 before Rider’s Kahlil Thomas misfired on the front end of a 1-and-1. The Bulldogs committed 20 fouls in the contest, and Texas Tech was able to convert on 18 of their 23 free throws (78.3%).

The championship game kicks off Sunday night at 7:30 ET on ESPN 2, and can be heard on 1070 AM or 93.5 FM.

With Poeltl out of the game as a result of early foul trouble, Utah was forced to address its lack of depth at center against a talented 7-foot Tonye Jekiri who finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 46-32 halftime lead and never looked back in running their record to 4-0.

This from a guy who started the year 3 for 18 through the first two games, and the numbers hadn’t gotten dramatically better through the first two games in San Juan. Greene will not make the trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, which begins Monday, but can practice with the team upon its return. Rico Gathers had 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Then the senior guard went 6 for 6 at the foul line and knocked down four 3s after halftime, including one that brought Butler within 76-72 with about 3 1/2 minutes left after trailing by 19. Gavin Ware was right behind him with 15 points, and he also added nine rebounds.

Keenan Evans added 13 points for the Red Raiders (2-1), who did just enough in the final three minutes to squeeze out a victory that came down to the final play.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Shanice Robe scored in double overtime as Barry (15-2-1) beat Tampa (13-5-5) 1-0 to win the Division II South Region final in Jefferson City, Tenn. The Seminoles next face Auburn at 1 p.m. Sunday.